Animal Torture

April 18, 1985

MAKES SENSE. The House Education Committee Wednesday approved a measure to prevent schoolchildren from tormenting animals in the name of science. The bill (HB 135) would prohibit surgery or dissection of live animals or birds during science classes in Florida public and private schools. Experiments involving invertebrate creatures would be permitted under the measure, as would behavioral experiments with birds and animals as long as the experiment is designed to prevent psychological damage. The measure would not affect science fair projects or animal husbandry programs. Teachers who knowingly permit animal abuse in their science classes would face disciplinary action, including dismissal. They would also be guilty of a first degree misdemeanor.